Fibre optic connector

Abstract: A fibre optic connector (10) attaches a fibre optic harness (12) having a plurality of jacketed optic fibres (14) to an optical device that has a flat rectangular contact surface. The connector comprises an outer member (20,22) that has a plural number of non-linearly arrayed, grooves that receive individual jacketed optic fibres of the harness. An inner wedge member (36) in the rear end of the outer member guides and holds individual jacketed optic fibres in the respective grooves. Each groove converges toward and communicates with a slot (34) at the front end of the connector. The slot receives stripped end portions of the optic fibres and holds them in an abutting linear array for engagement with the flat rectangular contact surface of the optical device. The connector may also include latches (42) for retaining the optic fibres individually and springs for biasing each individual optic fibre into engagement with the flat contact surface of the optic device.

Description: This invention relates generally to fibre optic connectors and more particularly to a fibre optic connector for connecting a fibre optic wiring harness to an optical device such as a star coupler. US Patent No. 4,995,692 discloses a fibre optic connector for a star coupler. The star coupler comprises a flexible optical ribbon that is curved so that input and output bundles or harnesses of individually jacketed optic fibres connect to the same side of the coupler by means of the fibre optic connector. The fibre optic connector is difficult and expensive to attach to the optic fibres. One part of the connector comprises a multi-apertured block that receives each individual jacketed optic fibre and secures it in an orderly pattern. The jackets are then removed from the ends of the optic fibres that protrude from the block. The stripped ends are then held in a pair of parallel abutting linear arrays by a second block or fibre holder that has two lines of holes that snugly receive the stripped ends. The stripped ends are then cut off flush with the face of the fibre holder and polished. The fibre holder has a pin and aperture. The other part of the connector comprises a ribbon holder having a pair of parallel slots that receive the ends of the flexible curved optical ribbon. The ribbon holder has a pin and aperture that are a mirror image of the pin and aperture of the fibre holder. The ribbon ends and the fibre ends engage in a precise alignment when the connector parts are joined by plugging the fibre holder and ribbon holder together. The object of this invention is to provide an improved fibre optic connector for joining a bundle of jacketed optic fibres to an optical device that requires a linear array or arrays of stripped optic fibres at the connection interface. To this end, a fibre optic connector in accordance with the present invention is characterised by the features specified in Claim 1. A feature of the fibre optic connector of this invention is that the fibre optic connector can allow independent assembly, service and replacement of each optic fibre. Another feature of the fibre optic connector of this invention is that the fibre optic connector provides converging grooves for holding the optic fibres to provide a linear array of optic fibres at the front end while providing adequate space for handling the optic fibres individually at the rear end. Another feature of the fibre optic connector of this invention is that the fibre optic connector can provide individual springs biasing each optic fibre to assure flush contact of all fibre end faces with a flat contact surface of the optical device. Still another feature of the fibre optic connector of this invention is that the fibre optic connector provides converging grooves for holding the optic fibres that are non-linearly arrayed to reduce package size while providing adequate space to handle the optic fibres individually at the rear end of the fibre optic connector. Still yet another feature of the fibre optic connector of this invention is that the fibre optic connector provides an inner wedge member to ensure guidance of the individual optic fibres through their individual grooves and into a common slot at the front end of the fibre optic connector. The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fibre optic connector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a component of the fibre optic connector that is shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another component of the fibre optic connector that is shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a component for the fibre optic connector that is shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a fibre optic connector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mould insert for making a component of the second embodiment that is shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front view of the mould insert that is shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of another component of the second embodiment of the fibre optic connector that is shown in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows; and Figure 10 is a section taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a fibre optic star and transmission line assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of part of a third embodiment of a fibre optic connector in accordance with the present invention and as used in the assembly of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a front or end elevational view of the ribbon retainer housing for a curved optical ribbon and looking in the direction of the arrows 13-13 of Figure 11; Figure 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the ribbon retainer housing of Figure 13 taken along the lines 14-14 of Figure 13 and then rotated clockwise 90°; Figure 15 is a view like that shown in Figure 14 but taken along the lines 15-15 of Figure 13; Figure 16 is an end elevational view of the convergent connector forming part of the fibre optic connector of the assembly of Figure 11 and looking in the direction of the arrows 16-16 of Figure 11; Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the convergent connector of Figure 16 taken along the lines 17-17 of Figure 16 and then rotated clockwise 90°; Figure 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view like that shown in Figure 17 but taken along lines 18-18 of Figure 16; Figure 19 is an end elevational view of a pair of wedges or stuffers for use with the convergence connector and looking in the direction of the arrows 19-19 of Figure 11; Figure 20 is an enlarged cross sectional view of wedges shown in Figure 19 taken along the lines 20-20 of Figure 19 and then rotated clockwise 90°; Figure 21 is a view like that shown in Figure 20 but taken along lines 21-21 of Figure 19; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the fibre optic star and transmission line assembly of Figure 11, but showing all the parts connected together as a final assembly except for the optical fibres; and Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of the assembly shown in Figure 22 and looking in the direction of the arrows 23-23 of Figure 22 and then rotated clockwise 90°. Referring now to the drawing, Figure 1 shows a fibre optic connector 10 for connecting a fibre optic harness 12 having a plurality of jacketed optic fibres 14 to an optical device such as a star coupler that is disclosed in US Patent No. 4,995,692 that is discussed above. This optical device has a flat rectangular contact surface at each end of the ribbon for engaging a linear array of optic fibre end faces. The fibre optic connector 10 of this invention combines side-by-side input and output connectors 16 and 18 in a common shell 19. The input connector 16 has a two piece outer member consisting of parts 20 and 22 that are shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively. Part 20 has a block shaped front portion 20a and a tapered rear portion 20b. The tapered rear portion 20b has three grooves 24 that continue into the front block portion 20a and communicate with a partial slot 26 at the front end of part 20. The rear portions of the grooves 24 that are in the tapered rear portion 20b of part 20 are large enough to accommodate the jacketed optic fibres 14 while the transition portions in the rear of the front block portion 20a are only large enough to accommodate the stripped cores of the optic fibres. The transition portions of the grooves 24 emerge as individual ramps 25 in the rear portion of the partial slot 26 that end at the front portion of the partial slot 26. The front portion of the partial slot 26 at the front end of part 20 has a constant depth that is substantially equal to the radius of the stripped core of the optic fibres 14. Part 22 is similar. It also has a block shaped front portion 22a and a tapered rear portion 22b. But it has four grooves 28 in the tapered rear portion 22b that continue into the front block portion 22a and eventually communicate with a partial slot 30 at the front end of part 22. The rear portions of the grooves 28 that are in the tapered rear portion 22b of part 22 are also large enough to accommodate the jacketed optic fibres 14 while the transition portions in the rear portion of the front block portion 22a will only accommodate the stripped cores of the optic fibres 14. These transition portions of the grooves 28 also emerge as individual ramps 29 in the rear portion of the partial slot 30 that end at the front portion of the partial slot 30. The front portion of the partial slot 30 at the front end of part 22 also has a constant depth that is substantially equal to the radius of the stripped core of the optic fibres 14. Parts 20 and 22 are plugged together face-to-face by means of complimentary posts 31 and holes 32 in each part 20, 22 to provide the two piece outer member of the input connector 16 as shown in Figure 1. When parts 20 and 22 are plugged together, a cavity 33 is formed in the rear end of the outer member by the tapered rear portions 20b, 22b of parts 20 and 22 and a full slot 34 having a constant depth substantially equal to the diameter of the stripped cores of the optic fibres 14 is formed at the front end by the partial slots 26 and 30. The grooves 24 and 28 are arranged in two rows that start are on opposite sides of the cavity 33 and then converge into the slot 34 at the front end. The grooves 24 are offset from the grooves 28 in the lateral direction so that the stripped cores of the optic fibres 14 disposed in the grooves 24 and 28 merge into the slot 34 in an interdigitated relationship to form an abutting linear array of stripped core ends 35, that is substantially flush with the face of the input connector 16. The input connector 16 further comprises an inner wedge member 36 that fits into the cavity 33 at the rear end of the input connector 16 that is formed by the tapered rear portions 20b, 22b of parts 20 and 22, respectively. The inner wedge member 36 guides and holds individual jacketed optic fibres 14 in the respective rear portions of the grooves 24 and 28. The front or nose end of the inner wedge member 36 is located at the back of the front block portions 20a, 22a of the parts 20 and 22 where the stripped core ends 35 of the optic fibres 14 enter the transition portions of the grooves 24 and 28. The inner wedge member 36 is attached to the shell 19 encasing the two-piece outer member of the input connector 16. The back wall of the shell 19 has a plurality of apertures 40 that are aligned with the respective grooves 24 and 28. The shell 19 also includes a pair of resilient latch fingers 42 associated with each aperture 40 that are integrally attached to the back wall of the shell 19 in cantilever fashion. The latch fingers 42 retain the optic fibres 14 in the input connector 16 individually so that each optic fibre 14 is assembled independently and can be serviced or replaced without disturbing the others. The output connector 18 is identical to the input connector 16 consisting of two identical grooved parts 20 and 22 that are plugged together to form a cavity 33 at the back end and a full slot 30 at the front end. The output connector 18 also includes an identical inner wedge member 36 that is also a part of the shell 19 that is equipped with apertures 40 and latch fingers 42 for the output connector 18. Figure 4 illustrates the preparation of a typical jacketed optic fibre 14 for use in the fibre optic connector 10. The end of the jacketed optic fibre 14 is threaded through a slip washer 44, a coil compression spring 46 and a metal ferrule 48. The metal ferrule 48 is then attached to the jacketed optic fibre 14 by an integral crimp sleeve 49 in a conventional manner. The jacket 50 is then stripped from an end portion of the optic fibre 14 to expose the core end 35. The prepared optic fibres 14 are then assembled to the fibre optic connector 10 individually. The stripped core end 35 of each optic fibre 14 is inserted into one of the grooves 24 or 28 through one of the apertures 40 in the back wall of the shell 19. The optic fibre 14 is pushed forward until the slip ring 44 is snapped past the lugs of the latch fingers 42 to hold it in place whereupon the optic fibre 14 is pushed forward under the action of the coil compression spring 46. The inner wedge member 36 holds the optic fibre 14 in the rear portion of the groove and guides the stripped core end 35 into the transition portion of the groove as the optic fibre 14 is being pushed forward. The stripped core end 35 is held in and guided through the transition portion of the groove and into the slot 34 by the front block portion of the complimentary part 20 or 22. The stripped core end 35 is then guided into its proper place in the abutting linear array by a ramp 25 or 29 in the rear portion of one of the partial slots 26 or 30. Once all the optic fibres 14 are assembled into the fibre optic connector 10, it may be plugged onto a suitably configured mating connector of an optical device, such as the ribbon holder of the star coupler disclosed in US Patent No. 4,995,692 discussed above. To this end, the fibre optic connector 10 may include a pin and hole arrangement complimentary to that of the ribbon holder or other suitable latching arrangements may be used. Alternately, the fibre optic connector 10 could be configured to be connected and latched to a star coupler like that shown in Figures 14, 15 and 23 of the present application and described hereafter. Referring now to Figures 5 to 10, a second embodiment of a fibre optic connector 110 of this invention is disclosed. The fibre optic connector 110 comprises a one piece common outer member 112 for input and output connectors 114 and 116, each of which has its own inner wedge member 118. The outer member 112 has identical housing portions 113 for the respective input and output connectors 114,116. Each housing portion 113 has a cavity 120 in its rear end, that has seven grooves 122. The cavity 120 and the seven grooves 122 converge into a single slot 124 at the front end of the housing portion 113. The cavity 120, grooves 122 and slot 124 are formed by a mould insert 125 that is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The mould insert 125 may be described as having five sections arranged end to end. These are a slot forming section 126; a first converging groove forming section 128 for stripped cores, a second converging groove forming section 130 for jacketed optic fibres, a first parallel groove forming section 132 for jacketed optic fibres and a second parallel groove forming section 134 for jacketed optic fibres having attached ferrules. The mould insert 125 forms the slot 124 as well as the cavity 120 and the seven grooves 122 that converge into the slot 124. More specifically the slot forming section 126 forms the slot 124 in a front section 136 of the housing portion 113. The first converging groove forming section 128 starts the cavity 120 and forms seven converging core groove portions in a housing section 138. The second converging groove forming section 130 continues and enlarges the cavity 120 and forms seven converging fibre optic groove portions in the housing section 140 that continue the seven converging core groove portions in the housing section 138. The first parallel groove forming section 132 continues and further enlarges the cavity 120 and forms seven parallel fibre optic groove portions in the front of the housing section 142 that continue the seven converging fibre optic groove portions in the housing section 140. And finally the second parallel groove forming section 134 continues and further enlarges the cavity 120 and forms seven parallel ferrule groove portions in the rear of the housing section 142 that continue the seven parallel fibre optic groove portions in the front of housing section 142. The slot 124 that is formed in the housing portion 113 for the input connector 114 has a constant depth substantially equal to the diameter of the stripped cores of the optic fibres 14. The seven grooves 122 that are formed in the housing portion 113 by the mould insert 125 are arranged in two rows that are on opposite sides of the cavity 120 that is formed by the mould insert 125 as best demonstrated by Figure 7 and shown in Figures 9 and 10. The upper row has three grooves 122 and the lower row has four grooves 122. Each of the grooves 122 in the upper row is laterally offset from the grooves 122 in the lower row and visa-versa so that the converging grooves 122 and merge into the slot 124 in an interdigitated relationship. The input connector 114 further comprises the inner wedge member 118 that comprises a grooved portion 144 that is attached to a back plate 146. The grooved portion 144 has seven grooves that complement the seven grooves 122 of the housing portion 113 so as to guide the optic fibres 14 into the slot 124 when the optic fibres 14 are inserted into the back end of the housing portion 113. The grooved portion 144 may be described as having four sections arranged end to end. These are a converging core groove section 148, a converging jacketed fibre optic groove section 150, a parallel jacketed fibre optic groove section 152 and a parallel ferrule groove section 154. The converging core groove section 148 co-operates with the housing section 138 to hold stripped cores in the converging core groove portions in that section. The converging jacketed fibre optic groove section 150 co-operates with the housing section 140 to hold jacketed optic fibres in the converging jacketed optic fibre groove portions in housing section 140. And finally the parallel jacketed fibre optic groove section 152 and the parallel ferrule groove section 154 cooperate with the housing section 142 to hold the jacketed optic fibres in the parallel groove portions in the housing section 142. The grooved portion 144 fits into the cavity 120 in the rear portion of the housing portion 113 with its grooves complementing those of the housing portion 113 so that the grooved portion 144 guides and holds individual jacketed optic fibres 14 that are pushed into the respective grooves 122 in the housing portion 113. The grooved portion 144 is integrally attached to the back plate 146 which has a plurality of apertures 156 that are aligned with the respective grooves 122. The back plate 146 may also include a pair of resilient latch fingers (not shown) associated with each aperture 156 to retain the optic fibres 14 in the input connector 114 individually so that each optic fibre 14 is assembled independently and can be serviced or replaced without disturbing the others. The output connector 116 is identical to the input connector 114. It comprises the lower housing portion 113 of the outer member 112 and an identical inner wedge member 118. The typical jacketed optic fibre 14 shown in Figure 4 and described above for use in the fibre optic connector 10 may be used in the fibre optic connector 110 also. In this case, the stripped core end 35 of each optic fibre 14 is inserted into one of the grooves 122 through one of the apertures 156 in the back plate 146. The optic fibre 14 is pushed forward until the slip ring 44 is snapped past the lugs of the latch fingers (not shown) to hold it in place whereupon the optic fibre 14 is pushed forward under the action of the coil compression spring 46. The grooved portion 144 of the wedge member 118 holds the optic fibre 14 in the groove 122 and guides the stripped core end 35 into its proper place in the abutting linear array of stripped core ends 35 in the slot 124. Once all the optic fibres 14 are assembled into the fibre optic connector 110, it may be plugged onto a suitably configured mating connector of an optical device such as the ribbon holder of the star coupler disclosed in US Patent No. 4,995,692 that is discussed above. To this end, the fibre optic connector 110 may also include a pin and hole arrangement complimentary to that of the ribbon holder or other suitable latching arrangements may be used. Alternately, the fibre optic connector 110 could be configured to be connected and latched to a star coupler like that shown in Figures 14, 15 and 23 of the present application and described hereafter. Referring now to Figures 11-23, a third embodiment of a fibre optic connector 200 of the present invention is disclosed for use as part of a fibre optic star and transmission line assembly 210, as best shown in Figures 11, 22 and 23. The fibre optic star and transmission line assembly 210 comprises, in general, the multi-part fibre optic connector 200 for housing and positioning multiple jacketed input and output optic fibres 14 such that their forward or exposed ends are aligned in linear vertical rows, a fibre optic ribbon retainer housing 212 for retaining a fibre optic ribbon 214 (see Figure 23) and with the opposite ends of the ribbon 214 being respectively aligned with the input and output linear rows of optic fibres of the fibre optic connector 200, and a cover 215 for receiving both the fibre optic connector 200 and the ribbon retainer housing 212 and which lockingly engages a female connector 220 of the fibre optic connector 200 to form the assembly 210. The fibre optic connector 200 is a multi-part connector and includes the female connector 220 for receiving the jacketed optic fibres 14, a convergence connector or housing 221 having a pair of large central openings 222 (see Figures 16-18) provided with semi-circular grooves 224 and a pair of wedges or stuffers 230 which are positioned in the openings 222 and which have semi-circular grooves 232 which match up or align with the grooves 224 in the convergence connector 221 to provide a plurality of discrete passageways 233 for the jacketed optic fibres 14, as best shown in Figure 23. In addition, the fibre optic connector 200 includes a fibre or terminal position assurance device 240 to ensure that all the optic fibres 14 are properly positioned within the fibre optic connector 200. As best shown in Figures 11 and 12, the female connector 220 comprises a one piece generally rectangularly shaped, plastic housing or body having a plurality of apertures 242 extending therethrough from its back side 243 to its front side 244. As best shown in Figure 23, the apertures 242 have a first diameter portion 242a along a rearward portion of the female connector 220 and a lesser diameter portion 242b along the forward portion of the female connector 220 for reasons to be hereinafter more fully explained. As shown in Figure 12, there are fourteen through apertures 242, two side end apertures and twelve apertures arranged in two rows, an upper row and a lower row. The apertures 242 along their large diameter portions 242a at their adjacent sides in the two rows are in communication with each other via slots 246. The female connector 220 also has slots 248 extending through its top and bottom sides 220a, 220b and with the slots 248 being in communication with one of the through openings 242 either at its upper end or its lower end, as viewed in Figure 12. Integral with the female connector 220 and disposed within the slots 248 are deflectable latch fingers 250 which are supported in cantilever fashion and are integral with the female connector at the junction of its forward and rearward portions. The latch fingers 250 lie in the slots 248 and have a barb 252 at their free ends. The female connector 220 serves to hold or retain the individual optic fibres 14 in place within the female connector 220. The optic fibres 14 are insertable into the apertures 242 from the back side 243 of the female connector 220. The stripped core end 35 and the jacketed portion 50 of the optic fibres 14 are passed through the female connector 220. When an optic fibre 14 is pushed through the aperture 242, the crimp sleeve 49 of the ferrule 48 will engage the adjacently located barb 252 of the latch finger 250 and cause the latter to be cammed outwardly of the female connector 220 until the ferrule 48 and the slip washer 44 are located within the opening portion 242a of the aperture 242. When the slip washer 44 is pushed past the deflectable latch finger 250, the deflectable latch finger 250 will return towards its normal free state position and its barb 252 will hook or latch behind the slip washer 44. When this occurs, the coil spring 46 will bias the ferrule 48 into engagement with a surface 260 at the juncture of the opening portions 242a and 242b and the slip washer 44 into engagement with the barb 252 of the latch finger 250, as best shown in Figure 23. The jacketed portion 50, and the stripped core end 35 of the optic fibre 14 will extend through the opening portion 242b and rearwardly or outwardly from the front side 244 of the female connector 220. This step or procedure is repeated for all fourteen of the optic fibres 14 to be connected to the female connector 220. The female connector 220 thus serves to position and hold each of the optic fibres 14 in place. The female connector 220 is adapted to be connected to the convergence connector 221. The convergence connector 221, as best shown in Figures 11, 16-18 and 23, comprises a generally rectangular one piece plastic housing having a flat or planar top side 270, a planar bottom side 272 and intermediate housing portions 273 and 274 integral therewith and extending between top and bottom sides 270, 272. As best shown in Figures 17, 18 and 23, the intermediate housing portions 273, 274 have a rearward end section 275 and a forward end section 276 and are integral with each other at their rearward ends. The rearward end sections 275 have the irregularly shaped central openings 222 therethrough and the forward end sections 276 comprise pairs of horizontally spaced vertically extending walls 276a, 276b which define vertically extending slots 280 therebetween. Each slot 280 is open at the forward end of the convergence connector 221, as shown in Figures 17 and 11. Each of the openings 222 in the rearward end section 275 of the housing portions 273, 274 is generally rectangularly shaped at its middle, as best shown in Figure 16, and includes both leftward horizontal and rightward horizontal extending slots 222a and 222b, respectively, in communication with the middle rectangular opening. The central openings 222 at different locations are in communication with the semi-circular grooves 224 formed in the rearward end section 275 and with the semi-circular grooves 224 terminating into round openings 283 in the forward end section 276 which is in communication with the slot 280. The diameter of the semi-circular grooves 224 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the jacket 50 of the optic fibres 14. The central openings 222, the round openings 283 and the slot 280 can be formed during the injection moulding operation for making the convergence connectors 221 by having suitably shaped cores (not shown) corresponding to the shapes of these openings. Thus, the mould core to produce the large opening 222 would have a shape corresponding to the shape of the openings as shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18. The round openings 283 adjacent the openings 222 have a diameter equal or slightly larger than the diameter of the stripped core end 35 of the optic fibres 14. The fibre optic connector 200 also includes the pair of wedges or stuffers 230 which are adapted to be received within the openings 222 of the convergence connector 221. The wedges 230, as best shown in Figures 11, 19-21 and 23, are shaped generally complementary to the openings 222. The wedges 230 are made of a one piece plastic construction and include seven longitudinally extending members 290 which are vertically spaced from each other and in which four are located at one side and three are located in the other side. Each of the members 290 of the wedge 230 at their outer side surface define generally the semi-circular grooves 232 for guiding the individual optic fibres 14. As can be seen from Figures 16 and 19, the wedges 230 as viewed in end elevation, are shaped like the openings 222 in the housing portions 273, 274, as shown in Figure 16. The wedges 230 are adapted to be inserted into the openings 222 of the convergence connector 221 and with the forward ends 293 of the members 290 abuttingly engaging surfaces 296 at the juncture of forward and rearward end sections 276, 275, respectively, of the housing portions 273, 274. To ensure that the wedges 230 cannot be wrongly inserted, each wedge is provided with a transversely extending lug 297 which is adapted to be slidably received in a complementary recess 298 in the housing portions 273, 274 of the convergence connector 221, the recesses 298 being in communication with the central opening 222. When the wedges 230 are slidably positioned within the openings 222 of the convergence connector 221, the outer side grooves 232 of the members 290 are located adjacent the grooves 224 in the rearward end sections 275 of the housing portions 273, 274, and define therewith the circular passageway 233 through which the jacketed portion 50 of the optic fibres 14 can be passed, as best shown in Figure 23. When the wedges 230 are connected to the convergence connector 221, the stripped core ends 35 of the optic fibres 14 can be inserted through the passageways 233 defined between the outer side grooves 232 of the members 290 of the wedge 230 and the grooves 224 in the housing portions 273, 274 and with the optic fibres 14 being guided thereby. When the optic fibres 14 have been inserted in the passageways 233, the female connector 220 can be moved forwardly and connected to the convergence connector 221. When this occurs, the stripped core ends 35 of the optic fibres 14 will be moved through the round openings 283 in the forward end section 276 of the housing portions 273, 274 and will automatically be vertically aligned in the slot 280 like that shown in connection with the fibre optic connector 10 of the Figure 1 embodiment. To connect the two connectors 220, 221, the female connector 220 has four pins 300 projecting from its front side 244 which are adapted to be received within aligned apertures 302 on the rear side 303 of the convergence connector 221. This positions the female connector 220 relative to the convergence connector 221. To ensure that each of the optic fibres 14 is properly positioned within the female connector 220, the terminal or optic fibre position assurance member 240 is provided. The position assurance member 240 is generally L-shaped and comprises a horizontally extending deflectable headed latch 310 and a plurality of downwardly or vertically extending tines 312, as viewed in Figures 11 and 22. The tines 312 are spaced from each other a distance such that they will pass through the slots 248 in the top 220a of the female connector 220. The female connector 220 has an upwardly extending catch 313 comprising pair of L-shaped leg portions 314 integral with the top side 220a and a transverse cross portion 316 integral with the free ends of the leg portions 314. The catch 313 is deflectable as is the latch 310. The position assurance member 240 is first positioned so that the optic fibres 14 are received between the tines 312 and then the position assurance member 240 is moved forwardly and with the latch 310 engaging the transverse cross portion 316 of the catch 313 and with the two deflecting away from each other until the latch 310 passes the catch 313 and is latched there behind. The tines 312 will extend between the latch fingers 250 and partially cover the apertures 242 in the female connector 220 to ensure that the slip washer 44 and ferrule 48 cannot be pulled rearwardly out from the female connector 220 without first removing the position assurance member 240. The convergence connector 221 at its forward end is adapted to be abuttingly engaged with the rearward end of the ribbon retainer housing 212. The ribbon retainer housing 212, as best shown in Figures 13-15 comprises a generally rectangularly shaped, one piece, plastic housing having a planar top and a planar bottom 320, 322. The ribbon retainer housing 212 has a projecting rectangular forward portion 316 which is adapted to be slidably received in a rectangular opening 318 in the convergence connector 221 to slidably connect the ribbon retainer housing 212 to the convergence connector 221. The ribbon retainer housing 212 includes a solid central portion 330 extending between the top and bottom sides 320, 322. The central portion 330 has an integral circular disk portion 332 intermediate its upper and lower ends which tapers or necks down at 340 to partially define slots 342 extending vertically of the ribbon retainer housing 212, as best shown in Figure 13. The ribbon retainer housing 212 also includes upper and lower side wall portions 350, 352 overlying the disk portion 332 and whose inner vertical wall surfaces 353 are curved and contoured to follow the outline of the disk portion 332. The wall surfaces 353 are spaced from the outer surface of the disk portion 332 so that its rearward end is located adjacent the neck down portion 340 of the disk portion 332 to define the slots 342. The central portion 330 at its forward end 354 is solid from the top to the bottom of the ribbon retainer housing 212 and is provided with a rounded outer surface. The ribbon retainer housing 212 houses and retains the fibre optic ribbon 214, as shown in Figure 15. The fibre optic ribbon 214 is flexible and can be curved and trained around the disk portion 332 and have its opposite ends secured in the slots 342. The fibre optic ribbon 214 serves as a star mixer and is positioned flush with the rear face 362 of the ribbon retainer housing 212 and has its ends polished. The ends of the fibre optic ribbon 214 and the ends of the optic fibres 14 are aligned and abut when the connector parts are joined, as best shown in Figure 23. When the parts are assembled, as described above, with the female connector 220 joined to the ribbon retainer housing 212, efficient coupling occurs between the optic fibres 14 in the convergence connector 221 and the fibre optic ribbon 214 in the ribbon retainer housing 212. The fibre optic ribbon 214 can be made of any suitable or conventional flat ribbon material. Suffice it to say that the fibre optic ribbon could be made in accordance with and be like that disclosed in the aforementioned US Patent No. 4,995,692, which is incorporated herein by reference. The female connector 220, the convergence connector 221 and the ribbon retainer housing 212 are all held connected to one another by the cover 215. The cover 215 comprises a rectangularly shaped, hollow, plastic housing having an open side 380. The cover 215 includes a pair of spaced slots 382 in its top side for slidably receiving the leg portions 314 of the catch 313. The cover 215 also has a pair of openings 384 at its opposite lateral sides and an integral catch or bridge 386 at the forward ends of the sides. The cover 215 is connected to the total assembly 210 by sliding the same over the ribbon retainer housing 212, the convergence connector 221 and the female connector 220. As the cover 215 is slid over the female connector 220, the leg portions 314 will be received within the slots 382 and the bridge 386 will engage tapered latches 390 at the sides of the female connector 220 which causes the cover 215 to be deflected or bowed outwardly at its sides. This outward bowing occurs until the bridges 386 clear the latches 390 whereupon the inherent resilience of the cover 215 will cause the bridges 386 to lock behind the latches 290 and with the latches 390 being received in the openings 384, as best shown in Figures 23, 22. It should be noted that the cover 215 at its forward end 392 has a shape complementary to the shape of the forward end 354 of the ribbon retainer housing 212 and thus, provides a cover for the fibre optic ribbon 214 being trained around the forward end 354. From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the Figures 11-23 embodiment provides a novel compact fibre optic star and transmission line assembly 210 in which all the parts can be readily connected together and retained in a single cover or box for easy portability.

Claims: A fibre optic connector (10) for connecting a fibre optic harness (12) having a plurality of jacketed optic fibres (14) with stripped core ends (35) to an optical device that has a contact surface for engaging a linear array of the stripped core ends, the fibre optic connector comprising an outer member (20,22,112) having at one end a plurality of non-linearly arrayed grooves (24,28,122) arranged for receiving individual jacketed optic fibres of the fibre optic harness, and a slot (26,30,34,124) at the other end arranged for receiving a linear array of the stripped core ends in side-by-side abutment, each groove converging toward and communicating with the slot; and an inner wedge member (36,118) disposed in the one end of the outer member for guiding and holding the individual jacketed optic fibres in their respective grooves. A fibre optic connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner wedge member (36) has an inner end that is spaced from an inner end of the slot (26,30,34). A fibre optic connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the grooves (24,28) are arranged in at least two rows. A fibre optic connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the grooves (24) in one row are offset from the grooves (28) in the other row and vice-versa so that the grooves converge and merge into the slot (26,30,34) in an interdigitated relationship. A fibre optic connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner wedge member (118) has a corresponding number of grooves (148-154). A fibre optic connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner wedge member (36) is disposed in a cavity (33) in the one end of the outer member (20,22) so that the stripped core ends (35) are disposable in the slot (26,30,34), and wherein the grooves (24,28) are arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the cavity. A fibre optic connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a shell (19) housing the outer member (20,22), the shell having a corresponding number of apertures (40) aligned with the grooves (24,28) at the one end of the outer member respectively and latches (42) associated with each aperture for retaining a biasing spring (46) for pushing the jacketed optic fibres (14) in the grooves toward the slot (26,30,34). A fibre optic connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner wedge member (118) has a back plate (146) that is adjacent the one end of the outer member (112), the back plate having a corresponding number of apertures (156) aligned with the grooves (122) at the one end of the outer member respectively and latches associated with each aperture for retaining a biasing spring (46) for pushing jacketed optic fibres in the grooves toward the slot (124). A fibre optic star and transmission line assembly (210) for transmitting optical signals from a plurality of input optic fibres to a plurality of output optic fibres comprising a fibre optic connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and including a female connector (220) having a plurality of apertures (242) therethrough for retaining and positioning a plurality of input and output optic fibres (14) therein with the optic fibres projecting through the female connector into the outer member (221); a ribbon retainer housing (212) for housing a fibre optic ribbon (214) whose ends are linear and are aligned with the stripped core ends (35) of the input and output optic fibres; means (316,318) slidably connecting the ribbon retainer housing to the outer member so that the ends of the fibre optic ribbon and the linearly arrayed stripped core ends in abutting engagement; and a hollow cover means (215) for receiving the ribbon retainer housing and the fibre optic connector, the hollow cover means and the female connector having co-operating means (386,390) for latching the hollow cover means to the female connector to secure the parts of the assembly together. A fibre optic star and transmission line assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a position assurance member (240) operatively connected with the female connector (220) to ensure that all of the optic fibres (14) are properly connected to and retained within the female connector body. A fibre optic star and transmission line assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the female connector (220) and the position assurance member (240) have cooperable means (310,313) for latching the position assurance member in place on the female connector and wherein the position assurance member includes a plurality of spaced tines (312) which partially overlie the apertures (242) in the female connector.

Inventors: JENNINGS KURT LYNN, MILLER GREGORY DAVID, STEELE ROBERT EDWARD, JENNINGS, KURT LYNN, MILLER, GREGORY DAVID, STEELE, ROBERT EDWARD
Applicants: GEN MOTORS CORP, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G02B6
IPC codes: G02B6